Sunday, November 15, 2009

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

One of the larger and easy to recognize dragonfly is the twelve-spotted skimmer. These dragons are common through out the lower 48 states and up into southern Canada. They are usually found around ponds, lakes or other slow moving bodies of water. They are named for the 12 brown spots on the wings, 3 on each of the 4 wings. This picture was taken in August at Crex Meadows. At first glance I believed that this was a female, because males usually have a powdery white substance called pruinose which covers most of their abdomen. Since this one is missing the pruinose it definitely can not be a mature male. However their are white spots in between the brown on the wings, which is rare to see in females, so it is most likely an immature male.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

You've gone and done it again -- another fantastic shot. I like the way the colors work together and help set up the dragonfly. Great composition too.

Randy Emmitt said...

Easy shot, but a good one. The terminal appendages tells one easily this is a male.

Be sure to check out the video posted to my blog with a ladybug beetle bombing the dragonflies, very cute and it'll give you an instant laugh.

sweetbay said...

That is a beautiful shot!

Jama said...

It so beautiful!!

Oman said...

awesome shot. i am officially a fan. thanks for sharing. :)

Helen said...

Great shot. I made a picture of one the other day with those spotted wings only the wings were pointed at the ends and it had a while strip down each side of its body with four orange spots on the upper body. I had no idea what kind it was. I need to post it someone else might know. Helen

ellen said...

artistic photo...an awesome shot...really worth dropping by here...see you around! avisit from you is indee a blessing!God bless

jay said...

Gorgeous picture! And made me wonder too, because I thought insects were mature as soon as they reached the imago form.

Gunilla said...

Fantastic shot.
Thanks for sharing

Have a nice day.
Gunilla in Sweden

Christina. Sweden said...

Never seen striped wings like that!
Thanks for showing, and, as usual, great Macro!

Sarah Sullivan said...

Oh stunning!! Now I know what that is..I caught one this summer. What a beautiful shot!! Sarah

Dave Ingram said...

Great shot - I like the feeling that it is precariously balanced on the flower and could fly off at any moment.